STD Elevations Demand Changes in Treatment
STD elevated levels demand a change in treatment. Current treatments of sexually transmitted diseases are not aggressive enough to eradicate the disease. This realization is evidenced by the high rates of STD infections plaguing Americans, many of which remain undiagnosed.
Chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in America. It's very sad to see that despite the availability of effective treatments, the number of cases reported has risen significantly in recent years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have raised concern regarding syphilis as a more urgent public health threat. The CDC reported that the number of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States declined steadily from 1998 to 2002, but recently experienced a 26 percent increase from the prior year. This is the first time syphilis has increased since 2003. The alarming increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) calls for both a shift in how these conditions will be managed in the years to come as well as a heightened emphasis on STD testing.
This article will explore the necessity of introducing frequent testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well as ways to be more attentive to the spread of STDs.
The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STDs are a common occurrence. The CDC estimates that there are more than 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases each year. The most common STDs prevalent in the USA are:
1. Chlamydia
This is the most commonly reported bacterial STD in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were four million chlamydia infections in the United States in 2018. 3 In the United States, chlamydia is the most common bacterial STD recorded by far. It might be challenging to identify the source of many cases of chlamydia. Most persons infected with the virus don't know it since they show no symptoms. Young individuals are disproportionately affected by chlamydia. New chlamydia infections account for two-thirds of all cases in people 15 to 24 years old. Chlamydia affects around one in every twenty sexually active young women between the ages of 14 and 24.
Disparities in chlamydia rates exist within and between racial and ethnic subgroups. In 2020, African Americans had six times the rate of chlamydia as White Americans.
2. Gonorrhea
This bacterial infection usually presents with painful urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, and burning during urination. It is treated with antibiotics. In some cases, if left untreated, it can cause serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility in women.
It is no secret that gonorrhea is a widespread health problem. More than half of the estimated 1.6 million new gonococcal infections in the United States in 2018 occurred among persons aged 15 to 24 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gonorrhea is the most frequent bacterial STD reported in the US after chlamydia. A large proportion of infections, however, cause no noticeable symptoms, therefore the number of reported cases likely represents just a small percentage of the actual impact.
3. Syphilis
Syphilis is a very contagious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The early stage of syphilis is often called primary syphilis, while the latent phase and late stages are referred to as secondary and tertiary syphilis.
The first rise in the rate of congenital syphilis has been seen since 2008, and it was recorded in 2013 (9.2 cases per 100,000 live births). Consistent annual increases in the incidence of congenital syphilis have been seen since 2013. There were 2,148 confirmed instances of congenital syphilis and 149 newborn deaths or stillbirths attributed to the disease in 2020.
The great majority of syphilis infections are found in homosexual, bisexual, and other males who have intercourse only with other men (MSM).
Untreated primary syphilis can progress to later stages, but with treatment, an infected person can return to a normal life. If untreated, however, it can cause serious complications in many organs and lead to death.
What Causes STDs?
The answer to this question is complicated. There are many different types of STDs and they can be caused by different things. Some are more common than others, but they all have one thing in common: they are spread through sexual activity.
Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or other germs that can be passed from one person to another during sexual activity. Many cases cause genital sores while others do not produce any symptoms at all.
Some STDs can affect your whole body — not just your genitals!
Some STDs can be spread by skin-to-skin contact, while others may require direct contact with an infected area of the body.
STDs can affect both men and women, although a few are more common in one sex than the other. For example, women tend to get chlamydia and gonorrhea more often than men do. Men are more likely to have genital warts and syphilis than women.
Risk factors involved in STDs
The risk factors for STDs include:
· Being sexually active.
· Not using condoms or other forms of birth control.
· Having multiple sexual partners.
· Having STD in the past (you can get it again).
· Having a weakened immune system due to disease or medication use (such as steroids).
· Being under age 25.
· The risk of contracting an STD is higher among gay men than among heterosexual men and women because the transmission routes are different for each type of sexual activity.
· The emergence of monkeypox imposed a substantial new burden.
· Transmission from pregnant women to their babies.
How Can We Cope with Elevating Cases of STDs?
It is no secret that STDs are on the rise, and the CDC estimates that over 20 million new cases are reported every year. While this is bad news for everyone, it’s especially concerning for people living with HIV/AIDS who may be more susceptible to infection.
The good news is there are several steps you can take to protect yourself and others from contracting an STD.
1. Get Tested Regularly
Getting tested regularly is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from STDs.
2. Affordable STD Testing
STD testing should be affordable and easily accessible to all sexually active people. With a variety of options available, it is important to know what test is right for you. Some tests require only a urine sample while others require blood samples or even swabs of your genitals.
3. Easy Access to Home Test Kits
In addition to getting tested at your doctor’s office or through a lab, there should be easy access to do-it-yourself kits available for purchase online or at drugstores that allow people to perform their own STD tests from home.
4. Get Treatment Immediately
If you suspect that you have an STD, see a doctor immediately. The sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances of getting rid of the disease and avoiding complications down the road.
5. Take Your Medication as Prescribed
Many STDs require medication to clear up symptoms and prevent transmission to others. Make sure that you take your medication as prescribed so that it has the maximum effect on your body.
Takeaway:
The STD epidemic has been steadily increasing for decades, and now it is reaching crisis levels. The world is in a state of upheaval, and with it comes the need to adapt. That is why we are proud to announce that ExperTox Single Source Laboratory Solutions is now offering affordable STI testing to its clients.
With increasing cases of STIs across the country, our new affordable testing program seeks to provide patients with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health without breaking the bank. We believe this will be a valuable resource for everyone from college students looking to avoid contracting an STIs, to married couples who want to ensure they are not passing on an infection.
If you are looking for affordable STI testing, ExperTox Single Source Laboratory Solutions has the lab equipment and experience needed to help guide you to find out what's going on with your body and take steps toward a healthier future.
We are offering a wide range of tests at competitive rates and can even help you find treatment options if needed! Visit our website today for more information or call us at (281) 476-4600.